As the National Assembly resumes plenary today after a prolonged Eid-el-Fitr and Easter recess, a heated confrontation has erupted between the House of Representatives and the Benue State Government over the surge in killings across the state. The escalating violence in Benue, particularly in Ukum and Logo Local Government Areas, has left over 50 residents dead in just three weeks, igniting national outrage and renewed calls for action against insecurity.
At the heart of the clash is Deputy Spokesman of the House, Hon. Philip Agbese, who directly accused Governor Hyacinth Alia of failing to enforce Benue’s Anti-Open Grazing Law, a policy that was instituted to mitigate clashes between herders and farming communities. Agbese, representing Ado/Ogbadigbo/Okpokwu Federal Constituency, contended that the governor’s reliance on ECOWAS protocols promoting free movement had allowed armed herders to infiltrate communities unchecked, leading to repeated bloodshed.
“Before his election, the anti-open grazing law brought some measure of peace. Now, it’s abandoned. The governor is quoting ECOWAS while our people are being slaughtered. This is not how to govern,” Agbese declared in an exclusive chat with The PUNCH.
However, Governor Alia, through his Technical Adviser on Communication, Solomon Iorpev, hit back, describing Agbese’s remarks as uninformed and politically motivated. “In a democratic setting, laws cannot be suspended without following due process. The governor has never abandoned the anti-open grazing law. In fact, he’s reiterated his commitment to full enforcement on numerous occasions,” Iorpev stated.
As the political feud intensifies, the House of Representatives has summoned Governors Hyacinth Alia and Dauda Lawal of Zamfara State to appear before its Committee on Public Petitions on May 8. The governors, along with their respective State Assemblies, are expected to explain why their legislative functions should not be taken over by the National Assembly, following petitions from a civil society group, Guardians of Democracy and Rule of Law.
Section 11(4) of the 1999 Constitution empowers the National Assembly to assume legislative duties of a state assembly in cases of constitutional breakdown. The Benue State House Speaker, Dajoh Hyacinth, confirmed that the Assembly received the summons and would deliberate on it today.
But constitutional questions have emerged, with Zamfara State officials questioning the legality of the National Assembly’s move. “The National Assembly has no power to summon sitting governors on state affairs. That power lies solely with the State Assembly,” said Mustafa Kaura, media aide to Governor Lawal. He added that Governor Lawal never received the invitation and would not be making any trip to Abuja “to waste his time.”
Amid these political theatrics, the Senate is also gearing up for a busy session. Senate Leader Opeyemi Bamidele has announced plans to immediately tackle the spike in violence across Benue, Plateau, Borno, and other troubled regions, while prioritizing the passage of President Bola Tinubu’s long-delayed Tax Reform Bills.
“The resurgence of killings in multiple states is alarming. The Senate will work closely with security stakeholders to implement decisive measures. At the same time, we must also address revenue reform through the pending tax bills,” Bamidele stated.
In Zamfara, the political crisis has also taken a dramatic turn. A faction of the State Assembly, comprising nine lawmakers led by Hon. Bashar Gummi, has vowed to continue legislative sittings despite alleged threats and harassment from the state government. They accused Governor Lawal’s camp of intimidation, political manipulation, and deploying security forces to suppress their activities.
“We are not afraid of the threats. We will continue to carry out our mandate as elected representatives,” the lawmakers said in a joint statement. They also alleged a planned attack on their families by state-sponsored thugs and demanded federal intervention.
As the security crisis and political wrangling escalate, Nigerians await whether the National Assembly will translate its tough rhetoric into effective action. Lawmakers like Agbese say there must be accountability. “We are tired of one-minute silences. If security chiefs don’t have fresh ideas, we’ll advise the President to replace them,” he warned.
With rising bloodshed, constitutional conflicts, and deepening mistrust between federal and state actors, the days ahead will test not just Nigeria’s democratic institutions, but the federal government’s resolve to restore peace and uphold the rule of law.